Jones has been suspended for the first five games of the season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, Jones -- whose suspension stems from an arrest Nov. 13 -- will be eligible for reinstatement Oct. 7 following the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the 49ers. As a result, the soonest Jones will be able to see regular-season action is Oct. 13 against the Packers. With Jones slated to be unavailable out of the gate this season, Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are in line to head the team's WR corps beginning Sept. 8 against the Bills.
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Status
RESERVE-SUS - Suspension - Not Specified Expected Return: 2024-10-13Latest Zay Jones news
Team
Arizona Cardinals
Birthdate
3/30/1995 (29)
Status
Suspended
HT/WT
6'2", 200 lbs
Draft Info
2017: Rd 2; Pk (BUF)
Birthplace
Dallas, TX, USA
Position
WR
College
East Carolina
Experience
8 seasons
Career History
Arizona Cardinals
2024-Present
(1 season)
Jacksonville Jaguars
2022-2024
(2 seasons)
Las Vegas Raiders
2020-2022
(2 seasons)
Buffalo Bills
2017-2020
(3 seasons)
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Jones has been suspended for the first five games of the season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports. Per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, Jones -- whose suspension stems from an arrest Nov. 13 -- will be eligible for reinstatement Oct. 7 following the Cardinals' Week 5 game against the 49ers. As a result, the soonest Jones will be able to see regular-season action is Oct. 13 against the Packers. With Jones slated to be unavailable out of the gate this season, Marvin Harrison, Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are in line to head the team's WR corps beginning Sept. 8 against the Bills.
Michael Wilson has been working ahead of Jones early in training camp, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports. Jones still has time to make an impression this summer and potentially challenge Wilson or slot man Greg Dortch for a top-three role at wide receiver. However, the Cardinals might prefer to deploy Jones as an experienced backup who can fill in at multiple receiver spots, in which case any fantasy value would be contingent on Wilson, Dortch or third overall pick Marvin Harrison missing time/getting benched.
Jones and the Cardinals agreed to terms on a contract Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Jones' deal is reportedly a one-year contract worth up to $4.25 million, per Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com. The big-bodied veteran was released by Jacksonville after the team's selection of Brian Thomas in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he now finds a landing spot in the desert with a clear path to starting in three-wide sets. Rookie fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison profiles as the alpha in Arizona's wideout room, while tight end Trey McBride could be quarterback Kyler Murray's second-most-trusted playmaker, but Jones could well solidify himself over fellow wideout Michael Wilson. Jones was limited to nine games last season, but in 2022, he logged a 82-823-5 receiving line on 121 targets.
The Jaguars released Jones on Tuesday. Jones' release comes shortly following Jacksonville's selection of rookie Brian Thomas in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The 29-year-old missed all but nine games last season due to a PCL injury, and despite now being healthy, his release saves the Jaguars a notable $4.2 million in cap space. In addition to Thomas, Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis round out Trevor Lawrence's clear top three wideouts, while Jones will work to find a landing spot elsewhere in the league.
A misdemeanor domestic battery charge against Jones was dismissed Tuesday, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports. Jones was arrested in November, and the dismissal of legal charges doesn't preclude an NFL suspension. He has one year remaining on a three-year, $24 million contract with the Jaguars, though there's been speculation of an upcoming release for cap reasons.
The 28-year-old played 71 percent of Jacksonville's offensive snaps as the No. 3 wideout but finished sixth on the team in targets. Jones hasn't been particularly productive the past two weeks with five catches for 30 yards after missing the previous four games with a knee injury.
Jones put forth a third consecutive limited practice Friday, per Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio. He returned from a five-game absence in Week 11 against Tennessee and played 63 percent of offensive snaps in the 34-14 win. Jones has caught 12 of 22 targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns in four appearances this season, and he'll hope to get a chance to add to those totals Sunday.
Jones' four targets ranked fourth among Jacksonville's pass catchers, though the four receptions tied for second. The 28-year-old's knee didn't appear to be an issue after missing the previous five games, as he clearly worked as the Jags' No. 3 wideout and played 63 percent of the offensive snaps. Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk remain locked in as Jacksonville's top wide receivers, which likely leaves Jones as a volatile fantasy option.
Dealing with a knee injury for the past two months, Jones was then arrested Monday for a misdemeanor domestic battery charge. He's unlikely to play this Sunday's game against the Titans and may also miss more time beyond Week 11 (be it due to the injury or arrest).